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“I don’t know yet. I don’t know what to make of all of this. But the quests have a purpose beyond the obvious task at hand. At a minimum, I think we’re supposed to help dragons find their One True Mate. That’s the only common link I can make out between the adventures. But I don’t know what each ‘item’ from each quest contributes toward. I only know…Ifeel…that something is building. Changing. And I’m a part of it. I have to control it.”
His eyes sought out Cloud’s at the end of the long table.
“I’m supposed to become a dragon, aren’t I? It’s what you’ve all been preparing me for. It’s my Destiny.”
Atthat word, everyone seemed to hold their breath, as if Destiny was already knocking on their door.
“And I’m supposed to have my Awakening at some point,” Ben continued. “I don’t know if the memories I acquired in bits and pieces on this last mission count…I-I feel different.”
He shook his head before anyone could ask how different.
“If I’m a dragon, then where ismyOne True Mate?”
He looked around the table and was met with wide eyes and shocked silence.
Finally, Ishtar said, “You’re still so young, Benjamin…”
He looked at Mama Bear, his paternal grandmother, Tal’s Mate.
“How old were you when you fell in love with Tal?”
She pressed her lips together. She’d been only a girl, Ben knew from Tal’s bedtime stories from when he was a boy. She’d known she loved him the moment she laid eyes on him.
“And you?” he asked Inanna.
She and Gabriel shared a look.
Ben knew that his mother had loved Alad, as Gabriel was known in his previous incarnation, from the moment she came into this world, as if she was born to love only him.
“You say I am Light,” he almost accused of Ere, spearing the man with the intensity of his stare.
“If the prophesies say you are the Light Bringer, then I must be the Light. But I don’t feel it now. There’s something…wrong with me.”
“Ben…” Annie murmured, squeezing his hand tight.
“I have to go on these quests,” he said quickly, afraid he wouldn’t get the words out fast enough.
“They’remyquests now. They mean something to me. I have to figure it out.”
“You won’t be alone,” Annie said resolutely.
“If you go, then I’m coming with you. I won’t let you go haring off alone again. It’s too dangerous.”
“We’ll come with you too,” one person after another chimed in from around the packed table.
“Fuck the JE,” Ere spat vehemently.
“Sorin and I can’t live in fear of what might happen. Even if you’re right, and they’re no longer my quests to fulfill, I’m still coming with you, my boy. Make no mistake.”
Sorin grunted beside him.
“And Sorin too,” Ere interpreted. “He’s better now. We’re both better. Nothing can stop us.”
“Got room for two more?” A new voice rumbled from the entrance to the great hall.
Ben turned at the familiar husky growl, gaping in wonder and shock as Zai and Sin walked alongside Goya across the threshold.
“Hello, young Dragon King,” the Dark Hunter said.
“We meet again.”
